Tokyo, July 1 (DPA) It’s time to fulfil your childhood dream to get behind the wheel of big vehicles. Japan’s bus and train companies are offering a one-day tour to allow amateurs to drive their vehicles.
With no special licences necessary, travellers and train spotters have a rare chance to conduct a diesel-engine train in Rikubetsu on the northern island of Hokkaido, the central region of Joso City and Annaka City.

Anyone older than 13 is eligible for the one-time licence to drive a 20-metre-long train for 150 metres.

Kanto Dentetsu Co in Joso City began the monthly event in 2006 after its one-day event was a big success.

The train tour has become so popular that it fills up within a week every month. The firm receives applications from more women these days, a company spokesman told DPA.

Participants ranging in age from retired seniors to junior-high-school students can work in two kinds of trains throughout the day, taking turns in becoming a driver or a conductor.

Conductors can control the doors and make personal announcements during the ride. Singing and other performances are also welcome, the spokesman said.

“Participants are often elated at their ability to pull the large vehicle and at themselves in controlling the train,” he said.

For bus fans Yomiuri Travel Service Co recently offered a one-day bus tour. While regional tours usually take travellers around on a bus, this one had travellers taking the wheel instead, Japan’s daily Yomiuri Shimbun said.

Some 57 people who signed up for the session drove a 12-metre-long city bus at the airport of an aviation school. They can drive the large vehicles without special licences using the runway in private property.

“My childhood dream has finally come true,” one participant was quoted as saying.

Others said driving the large vehicle helped them understand the difficulties of being a driver, according to the paper.

Participants can run the bus for about 15 minutes with a licence to drive a passenger vehicle. The tour costs 15,000 yen ($155) including lunch.

The train conducting tours cost 5,000-30,000 yen.